Empathy: The Critical Factor in Conflict-Resolution and a Culture of Civility.

Kahn, Wallace J.; Lawhorne, Catherine V.

Empathy is a critical factor in maintaining peace, respect and civility in our schools. The experience of reciprocal affect and accurate perspective taking comprise the components of empathy and stimulate the motivation to ameliorate the condition of another. The cognitive, physiological and social development of empathy is described with consideration to factors impairing empathic development and expression. Remedial, preventative and promotional interventions that enhance empathy and prosocial behavior are described emphasizing their synergistic features. (Contains 88 references.) (Author)